The redevelopment of the historic Bond Bread Factory and Washington Railway & Electric Company (WRECO) sites has been envisioned for more than 15 years. As a result of a key approval earned late last year, the transformative revitalization project is, at long last, moving forward. The vision? To bridge the gap between Howard University’s central campus and D.C.’s vibrant U street community with a careful sensitivity to the site’s historical context, the needs of its surrounding community, and the inclusion of enlivened pedestrian connections on every block.
Working within complex financial, programmatic, and mission-based criteria for the project––not to mention, a vast array of stakeholders, including Howard University and the Bond Partnership (Fivesquares, Menkiti, & Edens)––STUDIOS Architecture and Land Collective successfully championed the dynamic masterplan to bring a 600,000 square foot mixed-use destination to the site within the bustling Shaw neighborhood of D.C.
This session walks through the urban renewal strategy behind the transformative project, preserving its heritage, enhancing socioeconomic opportunities, and defining its sense of place as an exciting destination for not only the Duke District but also for the greater Washington, D.C. area.